Dead, Broken and Hanging Branches: While some trees may be more prone to damage, removing weak or dead branches helps to improve safety around the tree. It will also increase a tree’s overall health.
Hollows and Cavities: Trees that have experienced prior damage or injury are more likely to have some decay or cavities around the damaged area, which may or may not be easily recognized. If a tree or stem is hollowed out, assessing the extent of the cavity will be extremely important to understanding the proper remediation for the tree.
Cracks: Visible splits or cracks in the trunk or branches can be an indicator of a bigger problem. Determining the cause, orientation, and extent of a crack is an important first step in addressing this structural weakness.
Co-dominant Branches: Sometimes two upright-growing branches originate from the same area of a tree. This will create a problem if these two branches compete for dominance. Codominant branches are often the first branches to fail during a storm. Pruning a tree before these types of branches become a problem is the best way to prevent a tree from being the victim of this kind of damage.
Root Damage: Trees can be killed and destabilized due to roots circling around the base of the trunk of a tree. Taking care to properly plant a tree and to avoid buildup of mulch or soil around the root flare becomes essential for a tree to grow and age gracefully.
Excessive Lean: If trees have a significant lean or the ground within two to five feet around the trunk looks like it is bulging up from below, have your arborist determine a plan for handling this significant structural concern.
Insect Damage: Though insects aren’t generally active during the cold months, damage that they caused can still be recognized, and the culprit identified. Borer holes, loosening bark and overwintering stages of insects like eggs are signs that your tree has been infested.
Wachtel Tree Science’s Winter Tree Inspection Services
Though some signs of structural damage are noticeable, being able to identify the extent of damage and develop an effective plan requires an ISA Certified ArboristCertified Arborist. The experts at Wachtel Tree Science have the experience needed to identify structural issues that need your attention. Identifying an issue can indicate whether pruning, additional support, or removal would be the best option for your needs. Additionally, when work is done during the winter, perennials, shrubs, and turf are much more readily protected during this dormant season. Take advantage of the extended Wisconsin winters and contact us today to schedule a property tour.
